Abstract: Apparatus and method for growing a crystal from a melt of a growth material, wherein crystal growth occurs at a solid-liquid interface between the melt and the crystal, and a characteristic of the solid-liquid interface is determined by using a float atop the melt and a detector for detecting displacement of the float. The characteristic of the solid-liquid interface can be at least one of the following: position, velocity or acceleration of the solid-liquid interface.

Abstract: A film formation apparatus for a semiconductor process includes a source gas supply circuit to supply into a process container a source gas for depositing a thin film on target substrates, and a mixture gas supply circuit to supply into the process container a mixture gas containing a doping gas for doping the thin film with an impurity and a dilution gas for diluting the doping gas. The mixture gas supply circuit includes a gas mixture tank disposed outside the process container to mix the doping gas with the dilution gas to form the mixture gas, a mixture gas supply line to supply the mixture gas from the gas mixture tank into the process container, a doping gas supply circuit to supply the doping gas into the gas mixture tank, and a dilution gas supply circuit to supply the dilution gas into the gas mixture tank.

Abstract: A substrate mounting structure that can maintain the temperature uniformity of a substrate mounted on a mounting stage. The substrate mounting structure disposed in a pressure reduced space has a base portion, a pillar portion mounted in a standing manner on the base portion and having an internal space, and a mounting stage supported on the pillar portion and having a substrate mounted thereon. The mounting stage has a heating element that heats the mounted substrate, and a thermal breaking unit that mechanically breaks an electrical power supply line connected to the heating element depending on the temperature of the substrate. The pillar portion is comprised of a thin-walled cylinder. The thermal breaking unit is disposed on the pillar portion's internal space side in the mounting stage, and the pressure in the internal space is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing arcing in a plasma processing system when processing large area substrates which contain one or more holes. In one embodiment of the invention, a substrate support member includes an electrically insulating insert located beneath a hole in an insulating, large area substrate. The insulating insert is made of aluminum oxide, and is located within a hole in the support member such that the insert is disposed beneath a hole in a glass substrate. The substrate support member is made of aluminum with an anodized surface.

Abstract: A process (10) and apparatus (2) for extracting juice from a fibrous material. The process (10) comprises a step of feeding the fibrous material (13) into a receiving chamber (30) having a fluid contained therein. The fibrous material (13) is then combined with the fluid in the receiving chamber (30) to form a first fluid mixture. The first fluid mixture is then passed through at least one cell disruptor device (40) to facilitate at least partial release of juice from the fibrous material into the first fluid mixture, thereby forming a second fluid mixture having a relatively higher released juice content than said first fluid mixture with relatively finely disrupted fibrous material suspended therein. The second fluid mixture is then collected.

Abstract: A method for using a film formation apparatus for a semiconductor process includes a first cleaning process of removing by a first cleaning gas a by-product film from an inner surface of a reaction chamber of the film formation apparatus, while supplying the first cleaning gas into the reaction chamber, and setting an interior of the reaction chamber at a first temperature and a first pressure to activate the first cleaning gas. The method further includes a second cleaning process of then removing by a second cleaning gas a contaminant from the inner surface of the reaction chamber, while supplying the second cleaning gas into the reaction chamber, and setting the interior of the reaction chamber at a second temperature and a second pressure to activate the second cleaning gas. The second cleaning gas includes a chlorine-containing gas.

Abstract: A method of removing a photoresist may include permeating supercritical carbon dioxide into the photoresist on a substrate having a conductive structure including a metal. The photoresist permeating the supercritical carbon dioxide may be easily removable. The photoresist permeating the supercritical carbon dioxide may be removed using a photoresist cleaning solution from the substrate. The photoresist cleaning solution may include an alkanolamine solution of about 8 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, a polar organic solution of about 25 percent by weight to about 40 percent by weight, a reducing agent of about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight with the remainder being water. The photoresist may be easily removed without damaging the conductive structure in a plasma process.

Abstract: A cleaning solution and method for removing submicron particles from the surface and/or the bevel of an electronic substrate such as a hard disk media substrate, or an imprint mold used in the manufacturing of the hard disk media or a read/write head assembly part. The cleaning solution comprises a polycarboxylate polymer or an ethoxylated polyamine. The method comprises the step of contacting a surface of the substrate with a cleaning solution comprised of a polycarboxylate polymer or an ethoxylated polyamine. Additional optional steps in the method include applying acoustic energy to the cleaning solution and/or rinsing the surface with a rinsing solution with or without the application of acoustic energy to the rinsing solution.

Abstract: The polisher shuttle serves to polish the inside walls of cylindrical tubes, in particular tubes for medical use. It comprises radial projections that are flexible along the axial direction, suitable for polishing the inside walls of tubes merely by relative movement between the shuttle and the tube, the shuttle passing inside the tube. In a longitudinal section, the sections of the projections form a series of separate undulations that are long and thin in the radial direction. The polishing method made possible by the shuttle is particularly simple, since a single pass of the shuttle can suffice for performing polishing; the method is thus fast and easy to automate, e.g. in a polisher device of the invention.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the interior surfaces of a fuel storage tank. The first step of the method is to extract a material sample from the bottom of the fuel tank to determine how thoroughly the tank must be cleaned. The clean fuel is then removed from the tank and is stored in a holding tank. Loose and liquid contaminants are then vacuumed out of the tank. Next, a self-propelled spray nozzle, a sprayer tube, and a rotating spray nozzle, each of which is connected to a pressurized water supply line, are successively lowered into the fuel tank and are used to scour the various interior surfaces of the tank with pressurized water while wash water and loosened contaminants are simultaneously vacuumed out of the tank. The interior of the tank is then dried, and the clean fuel stored in the holding tank is pumped back into the fuel tank.

Abstract: An outer support body for a drawer-type dishwasher includes first and second U-shaped brackets. The first U-shaped bracket includes first and second leg members that are joined by a first cross member. Likewise, the second U-shaped bracket includes third and fourth leg members that are joined by a second cross member. The outer support body also includes side wall members that are secured to the first and third and second and fourth leg members respectively. A rear brace extends between and interconnects the side wall members at a position spaced from the second cross member. In addition, a drip pan is provided at a bottom portion of the outer support body between the side wall members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of cleaning boreholes, boring equipment and borings with an aqueous cleaning of one more lithium salts of alkyl sulfates of formula (I): R—O—SO3?Li+??(I) in which R is a saturated, unsaturated, branched or linear alkyl group containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably the lithium salts of alkyl sulfates are comprised of a mixture of those in which R is a saturated, linear alkyl groups having 8 to 14 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher comprises a housing defining a wash chamber for holding utensils to be washed, a movable sprayer fluidly coupled with a source of liquid and having at least one directionally-controllable outlet for controllably spraying liquid into the wash chamber, and a controller operably coupled to the movable sprayer to control the direction of the directionally-controllable outlet to spray liquid in at least one preselected location within the wash chamber.

Abstract: A high-strength steel pipe having a strength of API X65 grade or higher consisting essentially of, by mass %, 0.02 to 0.08% of C, 0.01 to 0.5% of Si, 0.5 to 1.8% of Mn, 0.01% or less of P, 0.002% or less of S, 0.01 to 0.7% of Al, 0.005 to 0.04% of Ti, 0.05 to 0.50% Mo, at least one element selected from 0.005 to 0.05% of Nb and 0.005 to 0.10% of V, and the balance being Fe, in which the volume percentage of the ferritic phase is 90% or higher, and complex carbides containing Ti, Mo, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb and V are precipitated in the ferritic phase. The high-strength steel pipe has excellent HIC resistance and good toughness of a heat-affected zone, and can be manufactured stably at a low cost.

Abstract: This invention provides sputtering target materials having high reflectance and excellent heat resistance, which are formed of Ag base alloys formed by adding a specific, minor amount of P to Ag and alloying them.

Abstract: A steel sheet having (a) a dual phase microstructure with a martensite phase and a ferrite phase and (b) a composition containing by percent weight: 0.01?C?0.2; 0.3?Mn?3; 0.05?Si?2; 0.2?Cr+Ni?2; 0.01?Al?0.10; 0.0005?Ca?0.01, with the balance of the composition being iron and incidental ingredients. Also, the steel sheet is made by a batch annealing method, and has a tensile strength of at least approximately 400 megapascals and an n-value of at least approximately 0.175.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of manufacturing a Ni-based superalloy component for a gas turbine using a one-step process of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and heat treatment, and a component manufactured by the method. In the method, an HIP process and a heat treatment process, which have been performed to manufacture or repair a Ni-based superalloy component for a gas turbine, are performed as a one-step process using an HIP apparatus. Thus, component defects, such as micropores and microcracks, which are generated when casting, welding, or brazing the Ni-based superalloy component for a gas turbine used for a combined cycle thermal power plant or airplane, can be cured using an HIP apparatus at high temperature and high pressure and, at the same time, the physical properties of the Ni-based superalloy component can be optimized using the heat treatment process.

Abstract: A gas generating composition of the present invention contains at least one fuel selected from carboxylic acids, salts of carboxylic acids, and polymers; at least one perchlorate salt; and/or at least one metal oxide or metal hydroxide. A gas generating system 200 containing a gas generant in accordance with the present invention is also contemplated.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a windable carbonaceous material sheet, which is obtained by continuously curing a long uncured fiber sheet which is obtained by using short fibers to make paper and which contains uncured resin to produce a resin-impregnated cured sheet, and then continuously carbonizing it, and its production process. For the object, a long uncured fiber sheet (1a) is conveyed by conveyance means which is equipped with one rotation belt set (2) comprising a drive roll (2a), a follower roll (2b), and an endless belt (2c) which is put on and around these rolls (2a, 2b). A resin-impregnated cured sheet (1b) is produced by heating and pressurizing the uncured fiber sheet (1a) by resin curing means (3) which is arranged so as to nip the uncured fiber sheet through the endless belt (2c).

Abstract: A manufacturing method for producing a unitized composite material has been discovered. An assembly of loose fibers or fiber and fabric combinations is formed where at least one of the layered elements contains a bondable material such as a thermally sensitive bonding fiber. The un-bonded layered assembly is shaped into a wavy form having a repeating wave-like pattern of the desired amplitude and wavelength. The amplitude and wavelength of the repeating waves can be altered such as by changing the relative speeds of a transfer device and an oven wire and the height of the transfer device relative to the height of the oven wire using simple machinery control settings. The shaped assembly is subsequently bonded in an oven or other activation step preserving the wave-like shaping when cooled or removed from the activation effect.

Abstract: A geogrid using fiber-reinforced polymeric strips and its producing method are disclosed. The geogrid of a lattice shape includes plural longitudinal fiber-reinforced polymeric strips longitudinally arranged in parallel at regular intervals and formed by reinforcing fiber in a thermoplastic polymer resin, and plural lateral fiber-reinforced polymer strip laterally arranged in parallel at regular intervals and formed by reinforcing fiber in a thermoplastic polymer resin. Each longitudinal fiber-reinforced polymer strip has at lease one first contact point crossed with the lateral fiber-reinforced polymer strip on the upper surface and at least one second contact point crossed with the lateral fiber-reinforced polymer strips on the lower surface. The contact points are fixed by welding the longitudinal and lateral fiber-reinforced polymer strips.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing panels (9) for aeronautical structures with U-shaped stiffening members (13) and I-shaped stiffening members (17) between their webs comprising the following steps: providing laminates for shaping the skin (11) on the curing tool (31); providing planar laminates (23) for shaping the stiffening members (13, 17); shaping the U-shaped stiffening members (13) on individual shaping tools (33) and placing the I-shaped stiffening elements (17) in said tools; grouping said individual shaping tools (33) together on an assembly tool (41); placing the group of stiffening members (13, 17) on the skin (11); placing a vacuum bag (55) on the assembly with the aid of profiles (59); consolidating said assembly by means of a curing process under suitable pressure and temperature conditions using external tools (60) to assure verticality of the webs of the stiffening members (13, 17).

Abstract: An appliance for sealing elastic hoses with a sleeve, which is plastically deformable and slipped onto the hose, has two jaws which are movable towards and away from each other. One jaw has two straight bars which project towards the other jaw and extend transversely of the sleeve to make two transverse indentations in the sleeve and the hose when the jaws are moving towards each other. The same jaw has a cutting edge which projects towards the other jaw and is directed transversely of the sleeve, the cutting edge making a substantially transverse cutting indication in the sleeve and the hose when the jaws are moving towards each other.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a thermal laminate by laminating a first substrate film layer and a second substrate film layer through an adhesive resin layer, which involves the steps of, integrating the adhesive resin layer with the first substrate film layer, heating the surface of the adhesive resin layer by heat rays in the presence of oxygen to induce functional groups which contribute to adhesion, and then, superimposing the second substrate film layer on the adhesive resin layer to be bonded thereto with pressure. The thermal laminate has a strong laminated strength without using a solvent, and is excellent in the safety and hygiene of foods.

Abstract: A way of making small, fragile, decorative handles on a lathe is disclosed along with tools for gluing pen-tubes into these handles is shown. Use of these tools and methods of use allows wood turners to avoid excessive rework and mess associated with the gluing process of making pen blanks while assuring better product due to more complete and uniform distribution of the adhesive layer.

Abstract: In a method and device for mounting an elongated member inside an elongated, elastic, flexible tubing, initially having an inside cross-sectional dimension that is approximately equal to or less than the outside cross-sectional dimension of the elongated member, the inner cross-sectional dimension of the flexible tubing is expanded by applying a pressurized fluid to the inner bore of the tubing, and inserting the elongated member into the tubing while the pressurized fluid is being applied.

Abstract: An article comprising at least one cured, liquid-impervious polymeric shell substantially free from defects, at least one liner, and a non-tacky, thermoplastic adhesive layer between the shell and the liner, wherein the adhesive layer is melted and solidified to create a non-tacky bond between the shell and the liner, which can be moisture-absorbing or cut-resistant, whereby the liner supports and limits stretch ability of the shell, thereby preventing adhesive delamination between the adhesive layer and either of the shell and/or the liner; a method for the manufacture of an article comprising a supported, polymeric shell, such as a glove, a gauntlet, an apron, or a boot, comprising providing a cured, liquid-impervious, polymeric shell, providing a knitted/woven liner, incorporating a non-tacky, thermoplastic adhesive layer between the shell and the liner, such as by hot-melt spraying, dry-powder spraying or fiber-coating, creating intimate contact between the shell, the adhesive layer, and the liner, subjec

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a double layer air cylinder type air enclosure uses a middle film conveying unit to provide a middle film, a plurality of inner film conveying units to provide a plurality of inner films to stack on two sides of the middle film, a first hot sealing apparatus to hot-seal the plurality of inner films and the middle film to allow two sides of the middle film to be respectively formed with a check valve with an air passageway, an outer film conveying unit to provide two sheets of outer film to respectively stack on the outside of the check valve and a second hot sealing apparatus to hot-seal the plurality of outer films and the middle film to allow an air storable air chamber to be formed between the middle film and the each sheet of outer film.

Abstract: Apparatus, devices, systems and methods for removing automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting from spaces. The apparatus can include a motor powered winch having a hook end that can grip about a raised edge of the carpet. The winch can be anchored to a doorway by clamping ends of a telescopic bar to doorjamb members about the doorway opening. An operator can operate the winch by remote control and be spaced outside the room that the carpet is being removed from. Another version can include a U-shaped telescopic clamp arrangement so that the winch is also spaced outside the room from which the carpet is being removed. Another version includes a carpet grabbing plate adapter having hooks on a top side and carpet grabbing teeth extending below. The clamp ends of the telescopic bar can be locked to the upper hooks on the carpet grabbing plate. Another version has a double jawed carpet grabber with a pair of handles and teeth with channel members for enhanced carpet edge grabbing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a quaternary ammonium complex comprising at least one non-cyclic amide as a modifier for a creping adhesive used on a creping cylinder, e.g., a Yankee dryer.

Abstract: A method for making mixed polymer composite fibers in which a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch are blended in water to provide an aqueous gel; the aqueous gel treated with a first crosslinking agent to provide a crosslinked gel; the crosslinked gel mixed with a water-miscible solvent to provide fibers; and the fibers treated with a second crosslinking agent to provide crosslinked mixed polymer composite fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for correcting an areal weight measurement of a stretchable web using surface topology measurement data is disclosed. Areal weight may comprise a basis weight or a water weight. The apparatus measures a surface of the stretchable web with a basis weight measuring device to obtain a rough basis weight measurement. The apparatus then measures the surface of the stretchable web with a surface topology measuring device to obtain surface topology measurement data. The apparatus comprises a controller that corrects the rough basis weight measurement of the stretchable web using surface topology measurement data. The corrected basis weight measurement may be used as a feedback value in a real time manufacturing process of the stretchable web.

Abstract: A paper machine having a forming fabric with a paper side plurality of weft and warp yarns interwoven to form a layer contacting a paper web. A plurality of weft and warp yarns are interwoven to form a machine side layer for the forming fabric. A plurality of warp binder yarns are interlaced with the paper side and machine side yarns to form a multiple layered forming fabric. The weft yarns in the machine side layer are greater in diameter than the warp yarns for maintaining width stability of the fabric. The fabric is characterized by high permeability, high void volume and a high Beran's Fiber Support Index.

Abstract: Methods for the thermolysis of lignocellulosic materials, such as wood, cellulose, lignin, and lignocellulose are provided. Some methods comprise combining the lignocellulosic material with an ionic liquid and subjecting the mixture of the lignocellulosic material and the ionic media to thermolysis conditions to form a recoverable product, such as a commodity chemical.

Abstract: Process for recovering cyclododecatriene (CDT) from a solution containing CDT and high boilers such as deactivated catalyst and polymers, which includes feeding the solution into a preheater and heating it, subsequently depressurizing it through a downstream pressure maintenance device and feeding the resulting two-phase mixture into a helical tube evaporator and there reducing the CDT content of the liquid phase by partial evaporation and discharging a gaseous product stream having an increased concentration of CDT.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of at least one diol and/or of at least one trial as a an additive to dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO®) in order to lower the crystallization point of same. The DMSO formulation is used in combination with the aforementioned additive as a paint-stripping composition, a surface-cleaning composition, a graffiti-cleaning composition, a surface-cleaning composition in the microelectronics field as a photoresist stripping agent, a DMSO-based agrochemical composition or as a constituent of an aforementioned composition, as a solvent for dissolving polymers, or as a constituent of a composition that is usable in the field of cosmetology or pharmacy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a falling film evaporator, which is fitted with a liquid distributor which is divided into segments, such that it is possible to charge only a limited number of evaporator tubes with liquid and the evaporator can be operated in an optimum manner even with a partial load. The invention also relates to a method for operating said falling film evaporator, the aim of which is to transfer heat, which is released when a gas-vapor mixture is condensed, to a liquid which is to be evaporated at least partially. It would be useful to use said falling film evaporator thus fitted in heat recuperation systems such as those used in the production of 1,2 dichloroethane.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, deposition of LiCoO2 layers in a pulsed-dc physical vapor deposition process is presented. Such a deposition can provide a low-temperature, high deposition rate deposition of a crystalline layer of LiCoO2 with a desired (101) or (003) orientation. Some embodiments of the deposition addresses the need for high rate deposition of LiCoO2 films, which can be utilized as the cathode layer in a solid state rechargeable Li battery. Embodiments of the process according to the present invention can eliminate the high temperature (>700° C.) anneal step that is conventionally needed to crystallize the LiCoO2 layer. Some embodiments of the process can improve a battery utilizing the LiCoO2 layer by utilizing a rapid thermal anneal process with short ramp rates.

Abstract: In order to provide an electrocoating plant for coating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies, comprising at least one immersion bath, in which at least one electrode is disposed, a conveying device, which brings the workpieces into the immersion bath and out of the immersion bath again, and a power supply device, which generates from an a.c. input voltage an output voltage, in particular a d.c.

Abstract: An electrophoretic dip coating plant comprises at least one dip tank, which is filled with a coating fluid. The objects which are to be coated are carried by means of a conveyor system through the coating fluid located in the dip tank and are then in electrical contact with a bus bar arrangement comprising an input and/or output region and a main region. The main region of the bus bar arrangement is connected to one terminal of a d.c. voltage supply unit. The other terminal of this d.c. voltage supply unit is electrically connected to at least one electrode which is immersed in the coating fluid in the dip tank. In order to enable the voltages which are applied to the adjacent regions of the bus bar arrangement to be regulated independently of one another, yet still to manage with a single d.c.

Abstract: A cell for the electrowinning of aluminum (50) from alumina, comprises an inclined plate-like or grid-like open anode structure (25) which has a generally v-shaped configuration in cross-section. The anode structure (25) has a downwardly-oriented sloping electrochemically active surface that is generally v-shaped in cross-section and spaced above an upwardly-oriented corresponding sloping cathode surface (11) by an anode-cathode gap (40) in which alumina dissolved in a circulating electrolyte (60) is electrolysed. The anode structure (25) has a plurality of anode through-passages (45) distributed thereover for an up-flow of alumina-depleted electrolyte (60) from the anode-cathode gap (40).

Abstract: An electroactivated film that includes: a first electrode that is spaced apart from a second electrode, a water insoluble electrically conductive medium which is permeable to moisture and oxygen and which contacts both electrodes, an electrocatalyst which can be reversibly oxidized and reduced and which facilitates the production of a peroxide when an electrical potential is imposed across the electrodes, and optionally a peroxide-activating catalyst which converts the peroxide to an activated peroxide, wherein one or both electrodes have electrocatalyst immobilized thereupon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cathode for hydrogen generation comprising a cathode substrate having provided thereon a catalytic layer, wherein the catalytic layer contains at least three components of platinum, cerium and lanthanum in amounts of 50 to 98 mol %, 1 to 49 mol % and 1 to 49 mol %, respectively, in the form of metal, metal oxide or metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A ceramic window in an iPVD module is provided with features that reduce heating of the window as a result of metal film deposits on the window. Dielectric dissipation and resistive heating of the metal film are reduced by the features. Reducing of the window heating is provided by either shaping the window surface on the chamber side of the window or providing structurally floating features to block at least a portion of a conductive path from forming on the chamber side window surface. The shaping can produce contours that prevent current paths from being created in the forming metal film. In addition or in the alternative, texture on the chamber side surface of the window is provided to increase surface area and thereby reduce film thickness.

Abstract: Claimed is a sputtering target system comprising a plurality of backing plates to be individually cooled. Each backing plate is provided on its back side with a meandering groove that is closed off by a sealing plate. The sealing plate is welded around its circumference to the backing plate and at the same time is welded to at least one ridge located at a distance from the frame, which separates two grooved sections from one another. The sealing plate thus welded to the backing plate not only closes off the grooves to form a cooling channel, but also is used for reinforcement of the otherwise relatively flat backing plate.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the output of an electrochemical sensor including a working electrode and a counter electrode, includes: electronically causing a current flow between the working electrode and the counter electrode via an electrolyte without introducing a test analyte to the electrochemical sensor; measuring a response of the sensor to the current demand resulting from the electronically generated current flow; and using the measured response to adjust the sensor output during sampling of an analyte gas.

Abstract: A sensor control apparatus comprising an air/fuel ratio sensor having a sensor cell with a pair of electrodes, a current source capable of supplying a predetermined current between the electrodes, a current control section that turns on/off the current source, a voltage detecting section that detects voltages generated between the electrodes at respective times when the current source is turned on and off, a differential voltage detecting section that detects a differential voltage between the voltages that are generated at the respective times when the current source is turned on and off, a first voltage comparing section that compares the differential voltage with a first threshold voltage, and a half-activated state determining section that determines that the sensor cell has reached a half-activated state when the differential voltage is lower than the first threshold voltage. A sensor control method is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to cutting single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). In one embodiment, the present invention provides for preparations of homogeneous populations of short carbon nanotube molecules by cutting and annealing (reclosing) the nanotube pieces followed by fractionation. The cutting and annealing processes may be carried out on a purified nanotube bucky paper, on felts prior to purification of nanotubes or on any material that contains single-wall nanotubes. In one embodiment, oxidative etching with concentrated nitric acid is employed to cut SWNTs into shorter lengths. The annealed nanotubes may be disbursed in an aqueous detergent solution or an organic solvent for the fractionation. Closed tubes can also be derivatized to facilitate fractionation, for example, by adding solubilizing moieties to the end caps.

Abstract: A textured water-splitting membrane comprises an anion exchange layer abutting a cation exchange layer to form a heterogeneous water-splitting interface therebetween, and a textured surface having a pattern of texture features comprising spaced apart peaks and valleys. The membranes can also have an integral spacer on the membrane. A cartridge can be fabricated with a plurality of the membranes for use in an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell can be part of an electrochemical ion exchange system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a carbon nano-tube tip comprising an AC/DC voltage supply, a metallic or semiconductor tip, an amperemeter, and a metallic vessel connected to the tip and the amperemter, wherein the metallic vessel is used as the electrode and define a groove therein filled with a carbon nano-tube solution. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a carbon nano-tube tip wherein carbon nano-tubes dispersed in a solvent are attached by electrophoresis to the end of a metal tip or semiconductor tip by using as an electrode a metallic vessel having a groove therein.